⚛️ 1. What is an Atom?
An atom is the smallest particle of an element that retains its chemical properties.
👉 Atoms are building blocks of matter.
🧪 2. Structure of Atom
An atom has three main subatomic particles:
| Particle | Charge | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Proton | +1 | Nucleus |
| Neutron | 0 | Nucleus |
| Electron | -1 | Orbitals |
🧬 3. Discovery of Subatomic Particles
- Electron → J.J. Thomson
- Proton → Ernest Rutherford
- Neutron → James Chadwick
⚛️ 4. Thomson’s Model
- Atom is a positively charged sphere
- Electrons are embedded like plums in pudding
👉 Called “Plum Pudding Model”
🌌 5. Rutherford’s Model
Based on gold foil experiment:
Observations:
- Most alpha particles passed through
- Few deflected
- Very few bounced back
Conclusion:
- Atom has a small, dense, positively charged nucleus
- Most space is empty
🪐 6. Bohr’s Model
- Electrons revolve in fixed orbits (shells)
- Energy levels are fixed
- No energy loss in stable orbits
⚖️ 7. Atomic Number & Mass Number
- Atomic Number (Z) = number of protons
- Mass Number (A) = protons + neutrons
🧠 8. Isotopes
Atoms of same element with:
- Same atomic number
- Different mass number
Example: Hydrogen isotopes
MCQs (50 Questions – CBSE Style)
1. Smallest particle of an element is:
A) molecule B) atom C) compound D) ion
Answer: B
2. Electron was discovered by:
A) Rutherford B) Thomson C) Chadwick D) Dalton
Answer: B
3. Proton has charge:
A) +1 B) -1 C) 0 D) +2
Answer: A
4. Neutron has charge:
A) +1 B) -1 C) 0 D) +2
Answer: C
5. Electron has charge:
A) +1 B) -1 C) 0 D) +2
Answer: B
6. Nucleus contains:
A) electrons only B) protons only C) protons and neutrons D) electrons and protons
Answer: C
7. Rutherford experiment used:
A) hydrogen gas B) gold foil C) iron sheet D) copper wire
Answer: B
8. Most part of atom is:
A) nucleus B) empty space C) solid D) neutron region
Answer: B
9. Atomic number = number of:
A) neutrons B) electrons C) protons D) nucleons
Answer: C
10. Mass number = protons +:
A) electrons B) neutrons C) ions D) atoms
Answer: B
11. Bohr said electrons move in:
A) random path B) fixed orbits C) nucleus D) nucleus only
Answer: B
12. Isotopes have same:
A) mass number B) neutrons C) atomic number D) mass
Answer: C
13. Hydrogen isotope with 1 neutron is:
A) protium B) deuterium C) tritium D) helium
Answer: B
14. Atom is electrically:
A) positive B) negative C) neutral D) charged
Answer: C
15. Electron orbits are also called:
A) shells B) nucleus C) ions D) molecules
Answer: A
📝 Assertion–Reason (10 Questions)
- A: Atom contains nucleus
R: Protons and neutrons are in nucleus
👉 A - A: Electrons are in nucleus
R: Electrons are negatively charged
👉 C - A: Atom is mostly empty space
R: Rutherford experiment showed this
👉 A - A: Atomic number = neutrons
R: Wrong definition
👉 C - A: Isotopes have same chemical properties
R: Same atomic number
👉 A
📊 Numericals (Basic Atomic Calculations)
- Protons = 6, Neutrons = 6 → Mass number = ?
👉 12 - Atomic number = 8 → Protons = ?
👉 8 - Mass number = 23, protons = 11 → neutrons = ?
👉 12 - Protons = 17 → element identity?
👉 Chlorine - Neutrons = 10, protons = 10 → mass number = ?
👉 20
📄 Fill in the Blanks (Compact)
- Smallest particle is ________ → atom
- Proton charge is ________ → positive
- Electron charge is ________ → negative
- Neutron charge is ________ → neutral
- Nucleus contains ________ and neutrons → protons
- Atomic number = number of ________ → protons
- Mass number = protons + ________ → neutrons
- Electrons revolve in ________ → shells
- Rutherford used ________ foil → gold
- Atom is electrically ________ → neutral